Bracelet.



G. H. TILPORD.

BRACELET.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. e, 1911.

1,01 6,304. I Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

Fig.1--

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. TILFORD, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIG-NOR 'IO TILFORD MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

BRACELET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 6, 1911.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

Serial No. 653,267.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. TILFoRD, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Bracelets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bracelets of the class that open by swinging the abutting ends laterally past each other.

The object of the invention is to provide such a bracelet with a locking tongue protruding from one of its abutting ends and to provide this tongue with means whereby it is adapted to readily yield or be withdrawn into the bracelet end upon being applied to or removed from the arm of the wearer to prevent abrasion of the skin.

A further object is that a bracelet thus constructed with a yieldable tongue permits the bracelet to be applied to and removed from the arm without being obliged to open it as far as if the tongue were fixed.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Of the accompanying drawings: Figure 1- is a side elevation of my improved bracelet partly in section, showing the locking mechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bracelet showing the same partially opened by moving the ends laterally past each other. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional end view on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a per spective view in detail of the casing in which the locking tongue is held to move endwise. Fig. 5-- is a perspective view of the locking tongue. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through the two ends of the bracelet showing the locking tongue and the manner of mounting it in its casing.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the bracelet which is preferably constructed of sheet stock having its edges rolled from the outer side backward and inward as at 2 2, see Fig. 3, forming a channel-like groove 3 running around its inner side. The bracelet is formed of one con tinuous piece of metal severed at 4, whereby the abutting ends 55, see Fig. 2, are adapted to be moved laterally pasteach other for the purpose of opening the bracelet.

At 6 is a hollow casing-like member pro vided with an upturned end wall 7 through which is a hole 8 and provided at its forward end with an outwardly extending supporting lip 9. A pair of laterally extending flanges 14 may be formed on the upper edge of the casing, if desired. In this casing is mounted the tongue 10 to move endwise therein, the same comprising a fiat member having a rounded engaging end and a rearwardly extending tail piece 11. The fiat portion of the tongue rests against the supporting lip piece 9 and the tail portion 11 is passed through a soft and delicate helically wound spring 12 and extends through the hole 8 in the wall 7 said end being then upset or enlarged as at 13 to prevent it from being again withdrawn through the hole by the action of the spring. After the tongue has been mounted therein the casing may be secured in position by rolling the edges 2-4 of the bracelet over the flanges 14c14: of the casing, or solder or other suitable means may be employed for securing the casing in position in the bracelet. It is found in practice very desirable that this protruding locking tongue be adapted to readily recede in coming in contact with the arm of the wearer when being applied or removed therefrom, so as to prevent scratching, cutting or injuring the flesh. Then again, where this tongue is so readily withdrawn upon being applied to and removed from the arm the bracelet is not required to open so wide as though the protruding tongue were fixed. This tongue forms a convenient look as it is adapted to extend into the recess or channel in the underside of the opposite end of the bracelet to normally hold the bracelet ends in line.

I claim:

1. A bracelet of the character described having abutting ends, said ends being adapted to separate laterally in opening the bracelet, a locking tongue operatively secured to and normally protruding from one of said ends to engage the opposite bracelet end to normally hold the two in line, and a spring for pressing said tongue outwardly and permitting it to readily withdraw when coming in contact with the arm of the wearer.

2. A one piece bracelet formed of flat stock with both its edges rolled inwardly forming a channel on its inner surface said bracelet having abutting ends adapted to separate laterally'in opening the bracelet, a casing secured in the channel portion of one of its abutting ends, a tongue held to move endwise in said casing, the outer end of said tongue normally extending beyond the bracelet end in which it is held, a forwardly extending lip on said casing for supporting the extending end of said tongue, and a spring in said casing for pressing said tongue outward and permitting it to readily withdraw when coming in contact with the arm of the wearer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. TILFORD.

Witnesses:

HOWARD E. BARLow, Es. I. OGDEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). C. 

